Rosie's New Target: Paula Abdul
Rosie O'Donnell took aim once again at "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul on "The View" Thursday. She implied that the former pop star is abusing alcohol.
After airing a clip of the "Idol" judges laughing at one auditioner, O'Donnell took a jab at Abdul: "That's compassion. Isn't that what America thinks is entertainment? To make fun of someone's physical appearance, then, when they leave the room, laugh hysterically at them. Three millionaires, one, probably intoxicated."
O'Donnell is upset by the harsh auditioning process and described the reality show as "terribly sad."
It's the second time this week that the "View" cohost has dumped on Abdul. During a discussion on Wednesday's "View," the ladies talked about the season premiere of the Fox reality show. The second half of the premiere aired Wednesday evening.
O'Donnell complained that the judges were too harsh on the less talented contestants and then took aim at Abdul's behavior.
"Paula was very thirsty last night. Did anyone else notice?" O'Donnell asked.
"Every shot, that woman was sipping the 'Coca-Cola' in her cup," she said, adding a wink during the words "Coca-Cola" that seemed to indicate Abdul wasn't sipping a soft drink.
"Towards the end of the show, one eye was wandering," she said.
Last week, Abdul was dogged by speculation about her odd behavior and sometimes slurred speech during a satellite interview with a Seattle TV station.
After much Internet talk about the segment, FOX supported the "Idol" judge in a statement given to TMZ on Monday.
Photos: "American Idol" Season 6
"(Abdul) is a consummate professional who always gives 100 percent to everything she does. Last week, during a satellite press tour there were intermittent technical difficulties, including severe audio issues in which multiple stations were speaking to her at once," the statement said. "Rather than getting angry about these difficulties, or stopping the tour, Paula forged ahead and decided to have fun with the increasingly challenging situation. Unfortunately, because reporters and viewers were unaware of the situation, her humor was misconstrued."
Abdul says that drinking just isn't her style.
"Call me square, but I've never been drunk my entire life," she told "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest on his radio morning show Wednesday.
As for O'Donnell, she's good-naturedly ready for more battle.
"Celebrity feud number 12," she joked, "Line 'em up ladies and gentlemen!"